Refrigerator data controller

ABSTRACT

A portable or refrigerator mounted data controller includes a housing. Located with and preferably inside of the housing is a series of printable sheets. Also associated with the housing, and preferably located therein, is a printer which prints on a single one of the printable sheets after removal from the series by the user. The housing also includes an input device by which the printer is actuated to print indicia on the single printable sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the recording of data, and more particularly to the printing of labels with date-time and other data (such as alpha numeric text to identify contents, to identify ownership, to provide messages and phrases, and/or to provide instructions) so that perishable items placed in a refrigerator or otherwise stored will have at least time-date information and possibly further identification applied thereto by which freshness and ownership can be determined and instructions provided as needed. Also, the present invention may be used for other items that need identification tags as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a portable or refrigerator mounted data controller is provided which includes a housing. Located with and preferably inside of the housing is a series of printable sheets. Also associated with the housing, and preferably located therein, is a printer which prints on a single one of the printable sheets after removal from the series by the user. The housing also includes an input device by which the printer is actuated to print indicia on the single printable sheet.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing is attached to a vertical surface of a refrigerator. The attachment can be temporary, such as by a magnet, VELCRO mounting, or more permanent as by an adhesive. In another embodiment, the housing can be portable and placed on a horizontal surface or temporarily mounted on a vertical surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the input device includes various keys by which user selectable indicia can be inputted to be printed by the printer on the single printable sheet. In addition, the housing further includes a display of the indicia to be printed.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the housing includes a memory which keeps the current date and time, and other stored information. Thus, the display shows the date and time kept by the memory.

Further in the preferred embodiment, the housing includes a withdrawal opening through which a single printable sheet is removed from a storage location prior to printing. Then, when printing with desired indicia is desired, the single sheet is inserted into a printing opening provided in the housing adjacent to the printer. Preferably, the printable sheets include an adhesive on at least a portion of one side to make attachment to the perishable item or other type item to be marked easy.

It is an advantage of the present invention that a food or other perishable item, or any item whose useful life should be measured, can be easily and quickly labeled for future reference.

It is also an advantage of the present invention that food packaging or container can be easily and quickly labeled in order to identify the owner of the food item or the food item itself. This would help to prevent theft of the item, or the premature or mistaken discarding of the food item or container.

It is a further advantage of the present invention that food poisoning possibilities will be reduced, as it can be easily ascertained what food is of questionable freshness so that such food can be discarded. Thus, the invention will help to identify old items stored in refrigerator so that they may be removed when appropriate to create space in refrigerator.

Yet another advantage of the present invention it that it may also be used to identify other items for contents, ownership and/or other labeling purposes as desired.

Other features and advantages of the present invention are stated in or apparent from detailed descriptions of presently preferred embodiments of the invention found hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a data controller of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the functional elements of the data controller depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front and top schematic perspective view of a refrigerator with a data controller attached thereto.

FIG. 4 is a front and top perspective view of a food item with a label attached thereto prior to being put in a refrigerator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the views, a data controller 10 in accordance with the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1. Data controller 10 is designed to be relatively portable if/as desired, or if permanently (or semi-permanently) mounted on a refrigerator 11 (see FIG. 3) or near a food preparation area, to be small enough to be unobtrusive while still being easily used. It is thus envisioned that data controller 10 would include a rectangular housing 12 which would be about 4″×6″ in plan view by about 1″ deep and made of a suitable plastic or metal. In order to attach housing 12 to refrigerator 11, the back of housing 12 is provided with a suitable attaching mechanism, such as a magnet 13 (shown in dotted lines at other than the small broken away portion of FIG. 1) adhesively secured thereto. Alternatively, the back of housing 12 could be provided with a suitable adhesive, adhesive tape, one of mating VELCRO® hook and loop pads, or other such types of attachment mechanisms as known in the art. Where data controller 10 is desired to be portable, but useable with refrigerator 11, the use of a magnet or VELCRO® attachment mechanism would be particularly advantageous as data controller 10 could be easily taken to an outdoor picnic or the like for a one-time or occasional use, and then returned to refrigerator 11 for everyday or regular use.

Located on one (left) side of housing 12 is a storage area 14 having a removable door or cover 16 (removable as by a press tab 17 or the like at one end as schematically shown). Storage area 14 is designed to store a series of printable sheets 18 therein, wherein each sheet 18 includes a self-adhesive 20 provided on at least a portion thereof (as well known in the art, such as POST-IT® notes). Conveniently, sheets 18 are about 1.5″×2″, as typically found in the art. Preferably, door 16 includes a withdrawal opening 22 through which a single printable sheet 18 is withdrawn by the user, with the series of sheets 18 provided in an accordion or the like configuration so that another, subsequent sheet 18 will be partly accessible in withdrawal opening 22 each time a previous sheet 18 is pulled completely from withdrawal opening 22. Alternatively, the series of printable sheets 18 can be a self-adhered stack of printable sheets 18 provided in storage area 14, which sheets 18 are individually removed from the stack by the user (as typical with POST-IT® notes). In such an embodiment, the bottom-most sheet or a backing sheet for the series of sheets 18 is attached to the bottom of storage area 14 by a clip mechanism or the like (not shown) so as to hold the series or stack in place, and no door 16 is used so that printable sheets 18 are stored as in a recess of housing 12 and the topmost sheet 18 may or may not be located below the level of housing 12 as desired.

Located in, or alternatively provided on, housing 12 is an electronic printer 26. Printer 26 is obviously quite small, as it is designed to print on the (relatively) small sheets 18. Many suitable printers, such as a calculator, thermal or dot matrix or the like printers, are known in the art, and thus printer 26 will not be discussed in detail. However, it will be appreciated that printer 26, or at least a replaceable or refillable ink supply or cartridge therefor, would be accessible by the user typically via a removable cover or the like (not shown). In order to print something on a single sheet 18, housing 12 includes a printing opening 28 along one side. When printing is desired, a single sheet 18 is inserted into printing opening 28 to overlie printer 26, where sheet 18 is thus printed. It will also be appreciated that sheet 18 is not totally inserted into printing opening 28, so that the user can still grasp one (preferably the adhesive) edge portion and thus easily remove sheet 18 from printing opening 28 of housing. 12 after printing has stopped.

As the present invention is designed to provide time-date information to be printed, housing 12 has located therein (and protected thereby) suitable electronic elements which are schematically depicted in FIG. 2. In addition, there is a battery 30 which provides power to the various elements, which is conveniently a replaceable AAA battery or the like located in a battery storage area and accessed by a removable door or the like (not shown, but conveniently provided in one side of housing 12) as well known in the art. Battery 30 provides power to a simple processor/memory or circuit board device 32, which includes a clock portion for keeping an accurate track of the current time and date. Preferably, the time-date is displayed in an LCD or the like display or readout 34, as shown as well in FIG. 1. This time-date information can be displayed continuously, or only when data controller 10 is in use. It will be appreciated that, in case data controller 10 loses power (as when battery 30 is changed or runs down), data controller 10 is also provided with a static computer chip or a small lithium 10-year back up battery (not shown) so that date, time and custom messages (as discussed subsequently) held in memory 32 or otherwise are not lost.

Conveniently, housing 12 is provided with instructions printed on a pull sheet or tray 35 stored in a suitable receiving slot therein. Such instructions provide directions for operation of data controller 10, such as for setting the time-date, for creating alpha-numeric messages for temporary or permanent storage in memory 32, and for memory 32 contained short cut numbers for corresponding pre-set (by the factory or by the user) messages. Such operations of data controller 10 are made by use of an input device 36 also provided on housing 12 and formed of a series of rubber push membranes or keys 38 as known in the art. For example, there are alpha keys 38 a forming the basic alphabet and numeric keys 38 k for numbers 0 to 9 as well as those typically associated with a calculator (.=+/x−) as typical in the art. In addition, there are as well a find key 38 b, up/down scroll (or +/−) keys 38 c, a shift/alt key 38 d, and a large print key 38 e. Further special functions keys are additionally provided (and discussed in more detail subsequently), such as: clear/delete key 38 f, temporary advance date key 38 h, save/store key 38 i, and set initial date-time key 38 j.

As will be appreciated by those in the art, the find key 38 b is used to set various functions, typically using the up/down keys 38 c, such as the initial time and date. Alpha keys 38 a and numeric keys 38 k can be used to add additional information to be printed with the time-date: such as what the food item is, who the food item belongs to (particularly advantageous for communal refrigerators), who prepared the food item (for identification at a picnic, bazaar or the like) and/or when the food was first prepared or set out (date, time). Additional information can also be pre-set in memory 32 and selected by the user using find key 38 b. Such pre-set information could be information such as: “discard in one week”; “discard in * days” (where the number of days “*” is selectable in increments or by numeric keys 38 k); “discard in” one, two, three, etc, “days” or “weeks” (with the user selecting the appropriate numbers and day/week); “keep frozen”; “opened *”; “use by *”; “purchased *”; “no good by *”; “bought on *”; “eat on” Mon., Tues., etc. (user selected); “save till *”; “for everyone”; “spoils after *”; etc.

Such additional information would appear on display 34 as it was inputted and thus could be easily checked by the user. If desired, a calendar, or 5-10 days thereof, could also be displayed in display 34. Depending on the amount of data to be printed and the size of printer 26, printing could be accomplished in one insertion of sheet 18, or by inserting sheet 18 after a first printing by turning it 90° and then activating printer 26 a second time to print a second or further message on a side not used during the first printing.

By way of example, the various special keys could function as follows.

A) Temporary advance key 38 h would be used to advance the date to be automatically printed by one day each time it is pushed. This advanced (typically predestinated “good to”) date would remain on display 34 until printing took place or some period of time expired (as 5 or 10 seconds).

B) Set initial date-time key 38 j would initially be pushed for three seconds or the like until the date-time in display 34 blinks or is otherwise highlighted. The user, using numeric keys 38 k, would then enter, in turn and followed by another push of the date-time key 38 j, the date and time parameters. If desired, the user could go back and forth between data entries using the scroll (up/down) keys 38 c.

C) Save/store key 38 i would be used to enter a custom message of up to twenty (or whatever number is appropriate and manageable) characters. To accomplish this, the user would initially input the message, which would show on display 34, using alpha keys 38 a and numeric keys 38 k as appropriate. Next, the user would press save/store key 38 i for some period of time such as three seconds, which would cause memory 32 to set aside a storage location for the inputted message on display 34. If memory 32 had no further slots to store messages, display 34 would be programmed to flash, so that the user would know that memory 32 was full; and if desired, that other saved messages then could be located and deleted (see below) to make room for the new message.

D) Find key 38 b would be used to scroll between stored or saved messages which would be displayed on display 34. Once a desired message was displayed, it could then be printed. However, if it were desired to delete such a message (as noted above) from memory, clear/delete key 38 f would be pressed for a predetermined time period (e.g., three seconds).

E) Clear/delete key 38 f would also be used as data is inputted so that if an error is made, depressing clear/delete key 38 f once would remove the last character inputted (and consecutive pressings of clear/delete key 38 f would delete consecutively last inputted characters). Two quick presses of clear/delete key 38 f could also operate to delete an entire last entry so that a character by character deletion would not be required.

F) Shift/alt key 38 d would be used if alternate selectable icons or the like (not shown) were provided for alpha keys 38 a or numeric keys 38 k.

Various options for printing would also be available using the keys 38 as noted above and as appropriate or desired by the user to print the desired information on a single sheet 18. This could be accomplished by inserting sheet 18 into printing opening 28 and pushing print key 38 e; or alternatively, print key 38 e could be used to signify that the information displayed is ready to be printed, and the insertion of sheet 18 into printing opening 28 could trip a small trip switch (not shown) when sheet 18 is fully inserted to actuate printer 26. Once printed, the added information would disappear from display 34, either immediately or if desired after a suitable time to allow the user to print another and similar sheet 18. The added information could also be removed by pressing clear/delete key 38 f if desired. The various print options would be as follows.

A) Just by inserting sheet 18 into printer opening 28 and activating printer 26, the current Date and Time would be printed. This option would be used when that information would be sufficient and no additional information was desired.

B) A phrase/message or the like of up to some set number of characters (such as ten) would be entered by the user, and then sheet 18 inserted into printer opening 28 and printer 26 activated. This would cause the inputted phrase to be printed together with the current Date and Time. This option would be used when a little additional information is desired. Of course, printing would have to occur before the entered phrase disappeared from the display, which as noted above would occur in some set period of time after the last character was entered (such as five or ten seconds).

C) If a phrase/message or the like greater than the set number of characters (such as ten) is desired, the entire phrase can be entered up to some limit on the number of characters (such as twenty). With this option, only the phrase will print when the sheet is inserted in printer opening 28 and printer 26 is activated. Thus, if the user also desires that the Date and Time be entered on sheet 18 (as it typically would), sheet 18 is rotated by 90° and again inserted in printer opening 28 and printer 26 activated to print that information to one side and at 90° from the phrase already printed. Of course, printing would have to occur before the entered phrase disappeared from the display, which as noted above would occur in some set period of time after the last character was entered (such as five or ten seconds).

D) Stored or pre-set phrases/messages would be recalled from memory by pressing find key 38 b, and then entering the first letter or slot number of a stored phrase. Pressing of the first letter would cause display 34 to show all phrases in memory beginning with the entered letter, after which scroll keys 38 c would be used to scroll or navigate to the desired stored or pre-set phrase. If the desired phrase is less than the set number of characters, when sheet 18 is inserted in opening 28 and printer 26 activated, then the Date and Time will also print with the phrase. If the phrase is over the set number of characters, then only the phrase will print and the user will need to re-insert sheet 18 after turning 90° in order to have the Date and Time printed as well. Of course, printing would have to occur before the entered phrase disappeared from the display, which as noted above would occur in some set period of time after the last character was entered (such as five or ten seconds).

In operation, data controller 10 functions in the following manner. Whether data controller 10 is a) attached permanently to refrigerator 11 or other area, b) transportable from refrigerator 11 or other area by a removable attachment mechanism, or c) merely designed to be handheld and moved to the using location, data controller 10 is suitably located by the user near or convenient to the food or other items to be labeled. If necessary, battery 30 is loaded in housing 10 and the time-date information suitably set in processor/memory 32 by the user using input device 36. Then, when an item 40 is selected to be labeled by the user, a blank sheet 18 is removed by the user from storage area 14. If additional information besides the date-time is desired to be applied to sheet 18, it is then inputted by the user using input device 36 (including alpha keys 38 a and/or numeric keys 38 k), and the added information is displayed in display 34 for the user to verify. The user then inserts sheet 18 fully into printing opening 28 and actuates print key 38 e to print the desired information on sheet 18. Sheet 18 is then removed from printing opening 28 and applied to food item 40 using the adhesive provided on at least a portion thereof in a conspicuous and convenient location as shown in FIG. 4. If a longer custom message is desired, two printings are performed as noted above; and it will be appreciated that the other two sides of sheet 18 could be printed with additional custom phrases if desired by additional printings after rotating sheet 18 another 90°.

While data controller 10 has been primarily described as being used to control the application of data to a food item, it will also be appreciated that data controller 10 can be used additionally or alternatively to identify the container of a food item or the like as belonging to an individual. Thus, when the food item is gone or no longer good, it will be easy to identify who the container belongs to so the owner can use it again. This is particularly advantageous for picnics or the like where multiple people bring food items, especially similar food items in similar containers. In addition, data controller 10 can also be used as a labeling device for other items and materials as desired.

Data controller 10 could also be provided with display screen icons, or separate LEDs which light for different operational modes, or keys 38 which are lighted when depressed to show a change of mode. For example, set date key 38 j would illuminate when depressed to show that the set date mode had been entered. Similarly, find key 38 b would illuminate when a set phrase was being searched for. Print key 38 e could also illuminate when a phrase has been selected or inputted and printer 26 is thus ready to print the desired phrase.

While the present invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. A refrigerator data controller comprising: a housing including a) a series of printable sheets, b) a printer which prints on a single said printable sheet, and c) an input device by which said printer is actuated to print indicia on the single said printable sheet; and a mechanism for associating said housing with a refrigerator.
 2. A refrigerator data controller as claimed in claim 1: wherein said input device includes various keys by which user selectable indicia can be inputted to be printed by said printer on the single said printable sheet; and wherein said housing further includes instructions for operating the various keys which is stored therein and pulled therefrom for viewing by the user.
 3. A refrigerator data controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein said housing further includes a display of the indicia to be printed.
 4. A refrigerator data controller as claimed in claim 3, wherein said housing includes a memory which keeps date and time, and wherein said display displays the date and time kept by said memory.
 5. A refrigerator data controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a withdrawal opening through which a single said printable sheet is removed from a storage location and a printing opening into which the single said printable sheet is moved to be printed with the indicia.
 6. A refrigerator data controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printable sheets include an adhesive on at least a portion of one side.
 7. A refrigerator data controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism is one of a magnet or Velcro mounted to one side of said housing.
 8. A portable data controller comprising: a housing; a storage area in said housing in which a series of printable sheets are housed; a withdrawal opening in said storage area through which a single said printable sheet is removed from the series by the user; a printer located in said housing which prints on the single said printable sheet; a printing opening in said housing adjacent said printer into which the single said printable sheet is insertable to be printed on by said printer; and an input device in said housing by which said printer is actuated to print indicia on the single said printable sheet located in said printing opening.
 9. A data controller as claimed in claim 8, and further including an attachment mechanism which can attach said housing to a surface.
 10. A data controller as claimed in claim 8: wherein said input device includes various keys by which user selectable indicia can be inputted to be printed by said printer on the single said printable sheet; and wherein said housing further includes instructions for operating the various keys which is stored therein and pulled therefrom for viewing by the user.
 11. A data controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein said housing further includes a display of the indicia to be printed.
 12. A data controller as claimed in claim 11, wherein said housing includes a memory which keeps date and time, and wherein said display displays the date and time kept by said memory.
 13. A data controller as claimed in claim 12, wherein said printable sheets include an adhesive on at least a portion of one side.
 14. A method for marking items which are time sensitive comprising the steps of: selecting an item to be marked; removing a blank label from a housing; inserting the blank label into a printer located in the housing; printing at least a present date and time indicia on the label with the printer; and applying the label with the printed indicia to an item containing a perishable food.
 15. A method for marking items as claimed in claim 14, and further including the step of inputting additional indicia to be printed on the label by the use of keys located on the housing.
 16. A method for marking items as claimed in claim 14, and further including the step of checking the indicia to be printed on the label in a display provided on the housing.
 17. A method for marking items as claimed in claim 14, wherein said applying step includes the step of utilizing blank labels provided with an adhesive on at least a portion of the label.
 18. A refrigerator data controller system comprising: a refrigerator having a surface and a food item to be stored in said refrigerator; a housing including a) an attachment mechanism which attaches a remainder of said housing to the surface of said refrigerator, b) a series of printable sheets, c) a printer which prints on a single said printable sheet, and d) an input device by which said printer is actuated to print indicia on the single said printable sheet; whereby said housing is mounted on the surface of said refrigerator such that said input device is usable whenever a food item needs to be labeled to print indicia on a single sheet removed from said series of printable sheets, which printed sheet is then immediately attached to the food item.
 19. A refrigerator data controller as claimed in claim 18: wherein said input device includes various keys by which user selectable indicia can be inputted to be printed by said printer on the single said printable sheet; and wherein said housing further includes instructions for operating the various keys which is stored therein and pulled therefrom for viewing by the user.
 20. A refrigerator data controller as claimed in claim 19, wherein said housing further includes a display of the indicia to be printed. 